US10862300B2 - Power distribution system - Google Patents
Power distribution system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US10862300B2 US10862300B2 US16/493,087 US201816493087A US10862300B2 US 10862300 B2 US10862300 B2 US 10862300B2 US 201816493087 A US201816493087 A US 201816493087A US 10862300 B2 US10862300 B2 US 10862300B2
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- semiconductor devices
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- series connected
- power switching
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- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 65
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004224 protection Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007659 motor function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009420 retrofitting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
- H02J1/10—Parallel operation of dc sources
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
Definitions
- This invention relates to a direct current (DC) power distribution system, in particular for an offshore platform or vessel.
- DC direct current
- a DC power distribution system comprises a plurality of power sources; a DC power distribution bus comprising a plurality of DC bus sections; wherein at least one power source is coupled to each of the DC bus sections; the system further comprising one or more power switching assemblies; wherein a power switching assembly couples one of the plurality of DC bus sections to another of the plurality of DC bus sections; wherein the power switching assembly comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being electrically coupled to a first bus section of the power distribution bus and the second terminal being electrically coupled to a second bus section of the power distribution bus; and a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal to control current flow between the first terminal and the second terminal; wherein at least one power switching assembly further comprises a pair of current limiters coupled between the first and second semiconductor devices; and wherein an auxiliary energy store is coupled to that power switching assembly between the pair of current limiters.
- the first semiconductor device and one of the pair of current limiters, or the second semiconductor device and the other of the pair of current limiters are configured to act as a DC to DC converter.
- one of the pair of current limiters of the power switching assemblies is connected on one side between the series connected semiconductor devices and on the other side to the other of the pair of current limiters.
- the power switching assembly may comprise a first DC to DC converter comprising a first pair of series connected semiconductor devices and a second pair of series connected semiconductor devices coupled together by one of the pair of current limiters, one terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair, the other terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices of the second series connected pair and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices of the second series connected pair.
- the power switching assembly may further comprise a second DC to DC converter comprising a first pair of series connected semiconductor devices and a second pair of series connected semiconductor devices coupled together by the other of the pair of current limiters, one terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair, the other terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices of the second series connected pair and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices of the second series connected pair.
- a second DC to DC converter comprising a first pair of series connected semiconductor devices and a second pair of series connected semiconductor devices coupled together by the other of the pair of current limiters, one terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices of the first series connected pair, the other terminal of the current limiter being connected to a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices
- This provides a four quadrant circuit providing bi-directional DC to DC conversion between the energy store and the DC bus voltage.
- the first and second DC to DC converters may be coupled between the terminals of the power switching assembly; and, the auxiliary energy store may be coupled between the first and second DC to DC converters.
- the or each semiconductor device comprises an insulated gate bipolar transistor.
- the power source comprises one of a prime mover, a generator, or an energy store.
- the voltage at one side of the power switching assembly is greater than or equal to 1 KV.
- the voltage at one side of the power switching assembly is within the range 1 KV to 15 KV.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of circuitry for a low voltage diesel electric propulsion system
- FIG. 2 shows an example of a power distribution system according to the invention, suitable for a wide range of voltages
- FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail one example of a connection between the DC bus sections of the power distribution system of FIG. 2 and an energy store;
- FIG. 4 illustrates in more detail another example of a connection between the DC bus sections of the power distribution system of FIG. 2 and an energy store.
- DC power distribution systems on offshore vessels, or platforms, or remote drilling rigs typically comprise a power source such as a prime mover, a generator, or an energy store, together with DC bus sections which are joined by a bus tie switch.
- the bus tie switch In order to meet regulatory requirements for safe operation, the bus tie switch must be able to disconnect the DC bus sections from one another to prevent a fault on one side of the system from propagating to the other side and potentially losing all power to critical systems, such as thrusters or essential parts of the drilling equipment.
- critical systems such as thrusters or essential parts of the drilling equipment.
- auxiliary energy storage such as batteries, which may store excess energy produced when running a motor at full load, or store regenerated energy during drilling operations with active heave compensation.
- the present invention aims to reduce size, cost and complexity of the conventional system.
- a bus tie switch or breaker function is provided for AC distribution (high and low voltage) solutions with mechanical breakers or low voltage DC distribution systems, typically up to 1000V DC, such as that shown in FIG. 1 .
- high voltage static DC switches typically for use in marine and offshore systems.
- High voltage equivalents typically for operation at 15 kV are not available.
- two independently operating power systems are required to meet classification standards, there is a need for very fast disconnection of DC bus tie connections to prevent faults from propagating from one side to another.
- Existing low voltage bus tie switches are not able to operate at voltages above 1000V and certainly not for voltage in the region of 10 kV to 15 kV, or higher.
- redundant thrusters for use in case of failure of a main thruster
- the redundant component although necessary to comply with regulatory standards, may not often be used.
- associated equipment such as energy storage, DC to DC conversion for that energy storage and other equipment required as part of the redundant system, increase costs. As these pieces of equipment may not always, or even, often, be in use, a design which removes the need for some of the associated equipment altogether is desirable.
- Each generator is coupled to DC main switchboard S 1 , S 2 via line 3 which includes a diode 4 and isolation switch 5 .
- Generators G 1 and G 2 are coupled to switchboard S 1 .
- Generators G 3 and G 4 are coupled to switchboard S 2 .
- switches 6 and fuses 7 are provided in lines 8 to inverters 9 between the DC main switchboard and motors 10 , or to a shaft generator with motor function, which is coupled to AC auxiliary switchboard A 1 , A 2 via filter 11 and transformer 12 .
- the DC main switchboard S 1 , S 2 supplies a battery 19 through a DC to DC converter 20 .
- the AC auxiliary switchboard is coupled via bypass 13 and isolation switches 14 .
- the DC main switchboard is connected via bus tie switch 15 comprising an isolation switch 16 and transistor diode arrangement 17 at each side of a Di/dt reactor 18
- the design of the power switching assembly 21 is adapted to provide DC to DC conversion for a common energy store 22 , as well as acting as a bus tie breaker.
- Semiconductor devices such as diodes or transistors, or a combination thereof in combination with current limiters, such as an inductance, or choke provide both switching and DC to DC conversion for the energy store 22 .
- a fuse 23 and isolator 24 are provided in the line between the power switching assembly 21 and the energy store 22 .
- the power switching assembly 21 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- a first example, shown in FIG. 3 is a two quadrant solution, which is able to act as a switch to disconnect one DC bus section S 1 , S 2 from another bus section S 2 , S 1 in the event of a fault and also to do step up conversion of DC from the energy store 22 to the DC voltage on the DC bus sections S 1 , S 2 .
- the voltage in the energy store 22 may be at 700V, so DC to DC conversion from the battery voltage of 700V to 1 KV is required.
- the DC to DC converters 42 , 43 each comprise a current limiter 35 , 36 and semiconductor device 33 , 34 .
- the DC to DC converters are coupled together via the current limiters 35 , 36 and the auxiliary energy store 22 is connected between the current limiters. Fuses 23 and isolation switches 24 are typically provided at each end of the energy store.
- the first and second semiconductor devices 33 , 34 may each comprise a first pair of series connected semiconductor devices 37 , 38 and combined with one of the pair of current limiters 35 , 36 , are configured to act as a DC to DC converter. When one of the pair of current limiters 35 , 36 of the power switching assemblies is connected on one side (between the series connected semiconductor devices 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 and on the other side to the other of the pair of current limiters 35 , 36 , DC to DC step up conversion is possible, from the DC voltage of the energy store 22 to the DC bus voltage.
- T 1 illustrates a DC current sensor to detect the current at that point. If a short circuit occurs on one side, then the DC voltage goes to zero, which may be a problem if the power requirement is high. The energy store is protected by the fuse 23 , which blows if one side shorts. This is acceptable for situations where the energy store is being used for non-critical operation. When the fault has been cleared, the fuses can be replaced and the supply from the side which did not have the short continues unaffected because the switch has opened sufficiently quickly to prevent the fault from spreading from one side of the DC bus S 1 , S 2 to the other.
- a capacitor ( )C 1 , C 2 may be provided in parallel with the semiconductor devices.
- the power switching assembly may comprise a first DC to DC converter 50 comprising a first pair 33 of series connected semiconductor devices 37 , 38 as in the FIG. 3 example and a second pair of series connected semiconductor devices 52 , 53 coupled together by one 35 of the pair of current limiters, one terminal of the current limiter being connected to through a DC current sensor T 1 at a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices 37 of the first series connected pair 33 and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices 38 of the first series connected pair 33 , the other terminal of the current limiter being connected via a DC current sensor at a common point between an output of one of the semiconductor devices 52 of the second series connected pair 54 and an input of the other of the semiconductor devices 53 of the second series connected pair.
- a first DC to DC converter 50 comprising a first pair 33 of series connected semiconductor devices 37 , 38 as in the FIG. 3 example and a second pair of series connected semiconductor devices 52 , 53 coupled together by one 35 of the pair of current limiters, one terminal of the current limiter being connected to through a DC
- This four quadrant circuit provides bi-directional DC to DC conversion between the energy store and the DC bus voltage to both sides of the DC bus, as well as the bus tie breaker function.
- the two sides of the DC main switchboard S 1 , S 2 run independent of one another, with respect to voltage.
- the present invention reduces the volume, size, cost and complexity of providing a DC supply to a consumer by altering the power switching assembly to enable it to store and/or retrieve energy directly from the energy store via the bus tie breaker, rather than needing a separate energy store connected each DC switchboard.
- This is particularly important in offshore systems which incorporate redundancy, i.e. overcapacity of critical components in order to allow for failure, such as redundant thrusters for use in case of failure of a main thruster, as the redundant component, although necessary to comply with regulatory standards, may not often be used.
- redundant thrusters for use in case of failure of a main thruster
- the more associated equipment that is also required for that redundant component the greater the cost, for something which is not always in use, so a design which excludes some of the associated equipment altogether is desirable.
- Retro-fitting of a power switching assembly according to the invention is possible with existing redundant systems to free up more space and reduce maintenance requirements.
- the present invention has the advantages that it can be used over a wide range of voltages, both for low voltages, typically below 1 KV and for medium and high voltages, up to 10 kV to 15 kV, or higher.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Direct Current Feeding And Distribution (AREA)
- Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17162169 | 2017-03-21 | ||
EP17162169.1 | 2017-03-21 | ||
EP17162169.1A EP3379674B1 (en) | 2017-03-21 | 2017-03-21 | Power distribution system |
PCT/EP2018/053630 WO2018171979A1 (en) | 2017-03-21 | 2018-02-14 | Power distribution system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200119548A1 US20200119548A1 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
US10862300B2 true US10862300B2 (en) | 2020-12-08 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/493,087 Active US10862300B2 (en) | 2017-03-21 | 2018-02-14 | Power distribution system |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10862300B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3379674B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102290404B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2018238950B2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK3379674T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2829324T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018171979A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020200495A1 (en) * | 2019-03-29 | 2020-10-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electric grid and method for operating an electric grid |
AT523580B1 (en) * | 2020-03-05 | 2023-12-15 | Avl List Gmbh | Converter arrangement and method for operating a converter arrangement |
WO2022053131A1 (en) * | 2020-09-09 | 2022-03-17 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electric grid |
US11901750B2 (en) * | 2021-06-08 | 2024-02-13 | Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation | Multi-functional current limiter for energy storage devices |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4594650A (en) * | 1983-04-19 | 1986-06-10 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Inverter device |
US20130187451A1 (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2013-07-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power Switching Assembly |
WO2016131460A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-08-25 | Maersk Drilling A/S | Power generation and distribution system for offshore drilling units |
US10483765B2 (en) * | 2015-02-20 | 2019-11-19 | Maersk Drilling A/S | Power generation and distribution system for offshore drilling units |
US20190363707A1 (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2019-11-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Dc power switching assembly and method |
US20190363628A1 (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2019-11-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power supply system and method |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2634885B1 (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2015-09-02 | ABB Technology Ltd | A DC-power system with system protection capabilities |
US20160036323A1 (en) * | 2014-08-01 | 2016-02-04 | General Electric Company | Three port dc-dc converter |
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2017
- 2017-03-21 DK DK17162169.1T patent/DK3379674T3/en active
- 2017-03-21 EP EP17162169.1A patent/EP3379674B1/en active Active
- 2017-03-21 ES ES17162169T patent/ES2829324T3/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-02-14 US US16/493,087 patent/US10862300B2/en active Active
- 2018-02-14 KR KR1020197027508A patent/KR102290404B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2018-02-14 AU AU2018238950A patent/AU2018238950B2/en active Active
- 2018-02-14 WO PCT/EP2018/053630 patent/WO2018171979A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4594650A (en) * | 1983-04-19 | 1986-06-10 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Inverter device |
US20130187451A1 (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2013-07-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power Switching Assembly |
US9590419B2 (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2017-03-07 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power switching assembly |
WO2016131460A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-08-25 | Maersk Drilling A/S | Power generation and distribution system for offshore drilling units |
US10483765B2 (en) * | 2015-02-20 | 2019-11-19 | Maersk Drilling A/S | Power generation and distribution system for offshore drilling units |
US20190363707A1 (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2019-11-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Dc power switching assembly and method |
US20190363628A1 (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2019-11-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power supply system and method |
US10651838B2 (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2020-05-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | DC power switching assembly and method |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
International search report and written opinion dated Apr. 17, 2018, for corresponding PCT/EP2018/053630. |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018171979A1 (en) | 2018-09-27 |
DK3379674T3 (en) | 2020-09-07 |
KR20190116474A (en) | 2019-10-14 |
KR102290404B1 (en) | 2021-08-17 |
AU2018238950A1 (en) | 2019-08-29 |
EP3379674A1 (en) | 2018-09-26 |
US20200119548A1 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
ES2829324T3 (en) | 2021-05-31 |
EP3379674B1 (en) | 2020-08-05 |
AU2018238950B2 (en) | 2020-07-23 |
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